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| National Assembly of Seychelles | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Assembly of Seychelles |
| Native name | Assemblée nationale des Seychelles |
| Legislature | 9th Legislature |
| House type | Unicameral |
| Established | 1979 |
| Preceded by | Legislative Assembly of Seychelles |
| Leader1 type | Speaker |
| Leader1 | Patrick Herminie |
| Leader2 type | Leader of the Opposition |
| Leader2 | Sebastien Pillay |
| Members | 35 |
| Voting system | Mixed-member proportional representation |
| Last election | 2020 Seychellois parliamentary election |
| Meeting place | Ile du Port, Victoria |
National Assembly of Seychelles is the unicameral legislature of the Republic of Seychelles, created after constitutional changes in the late 20th century to replace earlier bodies. It performs lawmaking, budgetary oversight, and representative functions within the Seychellois constitutional framework, interacting with the presidency, executive ministries, and judicial institutions. The Assembly has evolved through periods of single-party rule, coalition politics, and electoral reforms that shaped its membership, electoral methods, and committee structure.
The institution traces origins to colonial-era advisory councils and the Legislative Assembly of Seychelles, transitioning through post-independence constitutional arrangements linked to the Constitution of Seychelles (1979), the 1993 constitutional restoration of multi-party politics, and subsequent amendments. Key episodes include the 1977 coup d'état associated with France-Albert René, the era of the Seychellois People's Progressive Front (SPPF), transformations during the administration of James Mancham, and electoral contests involving parties such as the Seychelles National Party (SNP) and the Linyon Demokratik Seselwa (LDS). International interactions with organizations like the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, and regional bodies including the African Union influenced constitutional review and electoral observation missions by entities such as the European Union Election Observation Mission, the Commonwealth Observer Group, and specialists linked to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.
Membership is determined through a mixed system combining constituency mandates and proportional allocation. Constituency representatives are elected in single-member districts across the Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue island groups, while additional seats are distributed to reflect party vote shares using mechanisms influenced by models of Mixed-member proportional representation employed in systems like Germany and New Zealand. The Electoral Commission of Seychelles administers elections under laws such as the Seychelles Electoral Commission Act and conducts voter registration that engages stakeholders including political parties like the United Seychelles and the Parti Lepep. The Constitution of Seychelles and subsequent electoral legislation define eligibility, term lengths, and vacancy procedures, with examples of contested results adjudicated in the Seychelles Supreme Court and referenced in rulings citing comparative jurisprudence from courts in Mauritius and South Africa.
The Assembly exercises legislative authority under the Constitution of Seychelles (1993), including passage of Acts, scrutiny of government budgets submitted by the Ministry of Finance, approval of taxation measures, and oversight of executive actions via questions, motions, and investigations. It ratifies international treaties involving the United Nations, Commonwealth of Nations, and bilateral agreements with countries such as France and China; it also confirms appointments to institutions including the Public Service Commission and the Independent Commission Against Corruption. The Assembly’s powers have been shaped by precedents involving high-profile legislation on matters touching the Seychelles Ports Authority, environmental statutes related to the Aldabra Atoll, and fisheries governance linked to the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission.
Presiding officers include the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and clerks drawn from the civil service and parliamentary administration. Speakers have included figures with political pedigrees tied to Seychelles National Party and Linyon Demokratik Seselwa. Standing committees mirror portfolios of ministries—Finance, Public Accounts, Health, Education, Environment—and ad hoc committees form for inquiries into issues like public procurement and electoral reform. Committees engage experts from institutions such as the University of Seychelles, the Seychelles Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and civil society groups including the Seychelles National Youth Council to scrutinize legislation and conduct public hearings modeled on procedures in legislatures like the UK House of Commons and the Australian Parliament.
Bills may be introduced by government ministers or private members and proceed through readings, committee review, and plenary debate. Money bills follow procedures linked to budget submissions by the Office of the President and the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Blue Economy; appropriation acts require special consideration and timetable adherence. The Assembly’s rules of procedure govern quorums, question time, points of order, and vote tabulation; contentious measures have prompted petitions to the Seychelles Constitutional Court and comparative references to practices in the Mauritius National Assembly and the South African National Assembly.
The Assembly convenes at premises situated on reclaimed land at Ile du Port near Victoria, with facilities including the debating chamber, committee rooms, library, and offices for members and staff. The parliamentary precinct hosts the Parliamentary Library, archives holding Acts and sessional papers, and technology infrastructure supporting broadcasting and live streaming inspired by systems in the Canadian House of Commons and the New Zealand Parliament. Accessibility and security arrangements coordinate with the Seychelles Police Force and standards shaped by legislative buildings in small island states like Malta and Barbados.
Representative balance has shifted between parties such as United Seychelles, Linyon Demokratik Seselwa, Seychelles National Party, and smaller formations including the Seychelles Patriotic Movement and independent members. Coalition dynamics and proportional adjustments have produced plural legislatures with ministers drawn from party delegations and opposition leaders recognized under parliamentary privilege. Electoral events—2020 parliamentary elections, earlier contests in 2016 and 2011—illustrate trends in party realignment, campaign issues involving tourism stakeholders like the Seychelles Tourism Board and environmental NGOs, and the role of diaspora engagement through channels tied to Seychellois expatriates in countries such as South Africa, France, and the United Kingdom.
Category:Politics of Seychelles